January 3
Pretend City Pajama Party | Pretend City Children’s Museum
Pretend City is throwing a pajama party! Bring your little ones in their favorite jammies for adorable photo ops. Learn about the importance of good healthy habits and bedtime routines. The activities are far from snooze-worthy, so roll out of bed and join the fun. Price included in museum admission of $13.95. If your little one is in jammies, there is $1 off general admission. PretendCity.org
January 11
Irvine Half Marathon & 5K | Woodbridge Village Center Plaza
Take a run around the course known to locals as “inside the loop” at the Irvine Half Marathon & 5K (known before 2019 as the Southern California Half Marathon & 5K), which celebrates its 29th annual running as the official warm-up road race for other California marathons. Half Marathon 8 a.m./5K 8:15 a.m. Benefits local nonprofits, including Woodbridge High School’s athletic program. IrvineHalf.com
January 13-26
Newport Beach Restaurant Week
Newport Beach Restaurant Week is a 14-day dining event that showcases Newport Beach as Orange County’s premier dining destinations offering diners a wide variety of culinary experiences. Participating restaurants offer special prix-fixe menus with brunch (weekends) available for $15 or $20, with lunches from $10 to $25 and dinners from $20 to $50. The ticketed kick-off event is January 9 at the Lincoln Experience Center at Fashion Island. VisitNewportBeach.com/Restaurant-Week
January 16-18
Beethoven Violin Concerto | Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Pacific Symphony with guest conductor Christian Arming will celebrate Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th anniversary with Beethoven’s Violin Concerto featuring renowned violinist Clara-Jumi Kang. Also featured is Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8. Dvorak, while greatly inspired by the great German composer, expresses his own Bohemian lyricism in his symphony, which is filled with indelible melodies and themes that flow like no other symphony. 8 p.m. PacificSymphony.org
January 18
“Music of the Knights” | Irvine Barclay Theatre
A thrilling musical celebration of three of Britain’s most legendary songwriters features the music of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney – knights all, thus the title. The performance honors their lasting musical influence with songs like “Memory,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Circle of Life,” and much more, performed by a cast of New York’s top Broadway/cabaret vocalists. TheBarclay.org
January 21
Emanuel Ax in Recital | Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
In its salute to Beethoven and his 250th anniversary, the Philharmonic of Orange County’s Beethoven@250 series features pianist Emanuel Ax performing Beethoven’s three piano sonatas, No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, along with his 6 Variations in F major. The renowned German composter dedicated the three sonatas, written in 1795-76, to composer Joseph Haydn. 8 p.m. PhilharmonicSociety.org
January 1-25
“Young Stars of the Future” | Coast Hills Auditorium, Aliso Viejo
Winners of South Coast Symphony’s Young Stars Competition will be featured at its “Young Stars of the Future” performance on Saturday, January 25, at Coast Hills Auditorium in Aliso Viejo. Also on the program is a celebration of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th anniversary with the performance of the Egmont Overture and Symphony No. 7. Visit website for ticket prices and performance time. SouthCoastSymphony.org
January 29 – February 23
To Sir With Love | Laguna Playhouse
Based on the award-winning film, when Rick Braithwaite arrives to teach an undisciplined class at a rough East End London high school, he’s hopeful he won’t be there long. Battling through teenage rebelliousness, he learns he has more in common with these kids than he originally thought. The world premiere musical is directed by Sheldon Epps. LagunaPlayhouse.com
January 1-30
Wroclaw Philharmonic | Musco Center for the Arts
The sensational Wroclaw Philharmonic performs in concert with guest violinist Bomsori Kim, winner of numerous international competitions and hailed by The New York Times as a musician of “fierce dramatic commitment.” The principal resident ensemble of Poland’s National Forum of Music champions the traditional classical repertoire and music of the 20th and 21st centuries. MuscoCenter.org